The Importance of Exercising in the Golden Years

By Domenic Maccarone, 9:00 am on April 27, 2018

While the golden years are the perfect time to relax, travel, and enjoy retirement, it doesn’t mean they should be spent without exercise. Engaging in regular exercise offers many physical, mental, and social benefits. Learn the various ways exercise can benefit your senior loved one, and encourage him or her to get moving.

Reduces the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, heart disease is the second leading cause of death among Canadians each year. Regular exercise can reduce your loved one’s risk of heart attack and stroke. Exercise strengthens the heart and makes it more efficient at pumping blood. Getting regular exercise reduces blood pressure levels and raises HDL cholesterol levels, which can prevent heart disease from occurring.

There are a variety of age-related health conditions that can make it more challenging for seniors to live independently. However, many of the challenges they face can be easier to manage if their families opt for professional elderly home care. Barrie families can rely on expertly trained caregivers to keep their loved ones safe and comfortable while aging in place.

Strengthens Bones

Approximately 1.5 million seniors in Canada have osteoporosis, a condition that causes the bones to weaken and results in thousands of fractures each year. Exercise, especially weight resistance training, can strengthen bones and alleviate osteoporosis symptoms. A 2016 study by Saskatchewan researchers found that weight training reduced osteoporosis by helping seniors build muscle mass, which strengthened the surrounding bones.

Decreases Depression and Anxiety Risks

Exercise boosts mood, promotes good sleep, and reduces depression and anxiety by releasing endorphins and neurotransmitters in the brain. Regular exercise can alleviate mild depression and prevent it from developing in the future.

Lowers the Likelihood of Sustaining Injuries

In Canada, an estimated 20 to 30 percent of seniors fall each year, causing injuries, disabilities, and even death. Regular exercise can decrease the risk of falls and injuries by increasing balance and agility.

Getting regular exercise is just one of the many ways older adults can boost their health. Seniors who want to remain healthy as they age can benefit in a variety of ways when they receive professional elderly care. Barrie, ON, Home Care Assistance is here to help your loved one accomplish daily tasks, prevent illness, and focus on living a healthier and more fulfilling life.

Promotes Good Social Behavior

As their friends and family members move away, seniors may feel lonely and isolated. Exercise can encourage your loved one to get out of the house and socialize with others. Taking an exercise class at the local senior center, walking in the park with other seniors, or visiting the gym regularly can help your loved one develop close relationships with others, which could boost his or her mood and emotional health. Exercising regularly may also provide a confidence boost that helps your loved one overcome reservations about socializing and meeting others.

Decreases Joint Pain

If your loved one has arthritis, it may be tempting to not move sore joints. Regular exercise alleviates arthritis symptoms by increasing blood flow to the area, strengthening joints, and increasing the amount of lubrication between joints to help your loved one move with less pain.

Many senior citizens need help exercising. Some seniors need occasional assistance at home, and oftentimes the family members who take care of them need time away to run errands, take a nap, go to work, or take a vacation. Barrie respite care experts from Home Care Assistance are available on an as-needed basis, giving your family peace of mind that your loved one will remain safe and comfortable while you relax or focus on other important responsibilities. To hire a professionally trained caregiver for your elderly loved one, give us a call at 705-503-2273 today.